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Team profile: Czech Republic

Their FIFA ranking should inspire confidence, however qualifying out of the group might be another story. The Czechs will be looking to their midfield tyros to provide the impetus as they look to prove their positive showing at Euro 2004 was no fluke.

04 Jun 2006 13:51 GMT

FIFA ranking: 2

Coach: Karel Bruckner

Key players: Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky, Milan Baros

World Cup record: First appearance (eight as Czechoslovakia, including runners-up 1938, 1962)

Qualifying route: Defeated Norway in European playoffs

Key question: The Czechs impressed plenty of people at Euro 2004 and followed that up by being the highest scoring European team in qualifying. Can they score enough goals to make a big impact?